New partnerships with the Village of Cambridge and the Kenseth family will lead to upgrades at popular CamRock County Park that will improve trailheads and increase outdoor recreation opportunities families from across Dane County can enjoy year-round, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
“We’re proud of all that our county parks have to offer, and we are always working to do more to increase their enjoyment by visitors from across the county,” said Parisi. “Continued community partnerships are the key to expanding popular recreational opportunities, like canoeing and kayaking access, that the public asks for.”
The county will partner with the Village of Cambridge on an easement of village land on the north end of CamRock County Park. Initial plans will turn the vacant land into a water trailhead for canoeing and kayaking, with added amenities such as a bicycle pump course, small parking area, and picnic tables.
The easement will keep the land permanently available for public park purposes and will cost the county $50,000. The Village will remain the owner of the property and will be responsible for development and maintenance costs.
Dane County Board Supervisor Bob Salov who represents the Village of Cambridge noted: "These developments have been an incredible collaborative effort amongst the entire community. Here's an example of government, private enterprise, and non-profit helping and being helped by each other. Because of the efforts put forth by Dane County, the Village of Cambridge, <strong>Capital Off Road Pathfinders</strong>, local volunteers and CamRock Cafe & Sport, the development of the trailhead and bike park has already begun and is playing a significant role in the rebirth of Cambridge."
An agreement to purchase land from the estate of Edith Kenseth of the Kenseth family will improve visibility and access to the north entrance of the park – the main access point for the Village of Cambridge. Improvements will be made to increase public access to the existing bicycle/pedestrian trailhead for the well-traveled CamRock Trail. The purchase will cost the county $110,000.
Pending final approval of both purchases from the Dane County Board, the trailhead improvements will come on the heels of another upgrade to the park – a recently completed bridge to enhance a multi-use trail in the park for snowmobiling, hiking, fat tire and mountain biking.
